The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

May 7, 2012

Your View: Study history and come to your own conclusions

— I’ve been following with interest the saga of the gallows beam. My interest in Minnesota history began with the celebration of Minnesota’s centennial in 1958.

As a mere lad in grade school, I was amazed to find out about the Indian uprising. Much of the materials I studied were period newspapers and first-hand accounts of the survivors.

My teacher laid out all the information he could access, including field trips to historic sites and the historical society. He let us absorb it and come to our own conclusions. I’ve been an amateur historian ever since. I use basically the same methods he did.

I only have to satisfy my own curiosity. I try not to let emotions, preconceptions and prejudices cloud my thinking.

I believe the residents of Minnesota should hold our “paid papered professionals” to that standard, at the very least.

 

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